BARE FACED TRAVEL
Bare Faced Travel Who Are We?
Hi, and welcome to Bare Faced Travel we’re genuinely so glad you found your way here.
We’re a couple of lifelong adventurers who believe that travel is more than ticking off landmarks or creating the perfect Instagram shot. For us, it’s about immersion. Curiosity. Surrender. It’s about how a place makes you feel, not just how it looks through a lens.
At the heart of Bare Faced Travel is a simple but powerful idea: to share real stories from the road, in real time, in a real way. No filters, no façades just raw, honest moments captured as they happen.
So all the blogs written on Bare Faced Travel are our own, not scraped, copied or taken from other sources. We hope its original enough in that its our own collection of destinations that we have been to, our take and our photograpahy.
Why We Travel
My love for travel was sparked early. I was raised in Australia by parents from Eastern Europe. My mum migrated from Poland in her twenties with little money but big dreams one of which was to one day take her children back to see her homeland. She worked three jobs, saved every dollar, and eventually made it happen. In the 1990s, my brothers and I boarded a flight with her that took us from Disneyland to New York City, and finally to a remote farm in rural Poland, where we spent months reconnecting with our roots.
That trip changed me. It showed me how travel can shape your identity, widen your worldview, and stay with you long after the suitcase is unpacked.
My husband grew up surrounded by stories too his parents were missionaries based in Tahiti in the 1950s and ‘60s, and their adventures across the Pacific became bedtime stories that planted seeds of wanderlust early on.
So when we met, it was almost inevitable that our shared love of exploration would define us. It’s a big part of our relationship and of our life.
Together, we’ve trekked the Annapurna Ranges in Nepal, camped under desert skies in India, lived and worked in the Philippines supporting translation offices, and volunteered on post-earthquake rebuilding efforts in New Zealand. We’ve eaten street food in Mexico, stumbled across hidden laneways in Florence, and taken photos in the rain because that’s what the day gave us.
We don’t see travel as a holiday. For us, it’s a way of life. A rhythm. A mindset.
What “Barefaced” Means to Us
We chose the name Barefaced Travel because it reflects both how we travel and how we live.
My mum the same one who inspired our first big trip has never worn makeup in her life. Her skin glows naturally, and she’s always believed in letting herself be seen just as she is. That energy inspired this space.
We travel light often carry-on only (yes, even when my husband refuses to carry my bag!). We pack thoughtfully. I’m a bit of a neat freak and like everything washed and folded before it goes back into the suitcase, but that’s part of the ritual.
Being barefaced means being honest, open, and free. It means showing up as you are, wrinkles, sweat, joy, and all.
It also means we don’t edit our photos. We don’t stage our stories. What you see is what we lived. Every image on this blog is ours taken on our phones or cameras, usually in the moment.
Our Background
I studied architecture and art at university, and I’m drawn to old buildings, design details, and how spaces make you feel. My husband is a DJ and video editor, with a background in sport and storytelling. Together, we bring a creative, layered lens to the places we visit one that’s grounded in history, curiosity, and emotion.
We spent years living in Bondi Beach, Sydney a place full of energy, movement, contrast, and creativity. And now, as we create this digital home, we want it to hold the same spirit.
What You’ll Find Here
This blog is for those who crave depth and honesty in travel for people who want to feel something when they step into a new place, not just grab a photo and go.
Here, you’ll find:
First-hand hotel reviews — from boutique villas to rustic stays
Realistic travel guides — that mix known highlights with personal finds
Natural photography — no heavy editing or filters
Tips for packing light and staying fresh — even after 15-hour flights
Stories that reflect the full spectrum of travel — the beautiful, the chaotic, the funny, and the raw
We believe in freedom through movement. In keeping life fluid. And in finding meaning in the little things — the smell of a new city, the sound of foreign street music, or a quiet coffee on a rooftop at sunrise.
Want to Work With Us?
We’re always open to collaborations. Whether you’re:
A boutique hotel or retreat looking for authentic, heartfelt reviews
A tourism brand interested in capturing real stories and experiences
A fellow traveller needing custom travel advice or itineraries
A creative brand looking to partner on photography, content, or visuals
…we’d love to hear from you.
📩 You can email us directly or connect with us on Instagram @barefacedtravel.
Final Thoughts
Honestly? There were moments when I nearly gave up on this blog. The internet can feel noisy, and it’s easy to wonder whether your voice even matters. But every time someone sends a message to say our post helped them, or they found a little café we recommended, or that they felt seen by something we wrote I remember why we started.
So thank you for being here. For reading. For feeling something. For wanting travel to mean more than likes and views.
